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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A) and Class B (BRK.B) shares represent ownership in the same company, but differ in per-share economic rights, voting power, price and conversion options. One A share has the dividend and distribution rights of 1,500 B shares and one vote; one B share has 1/1,500 of an A share’s dividend and distribution rights and 1/10,000 of its vote. A can be converted into 1,500 B shares, but B cannot be converted into A. For most buyers focused on making a smaller purchase, B is the more practical class to consider; A may suit someone who specifically values its greater voting power per equivalent economic interest or its conversion option.
What is the difference between Berkshire Class A and Class B shares?
The two classes are both common stock in Berkshire Hathaway and trade on the New York Stock Exchange under BRK.A and BRK.B. Their key difference is that one A share carries substantially more economic rights and voting power than one B share.
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| Feature | Class A (BRK.A) | Class B (BRK.B) |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend and distribution rights per share | Reference amount | 1/1,500 of Class A |
| Votes per share | 1 | 1/10,000 of a Class A vote |
| Conversion | Holder may convert one A share into 1,500 B shares | Cannot be converted into A shares |
| Relative per-share price | Much higher | Much lower |
Berkshire’s 2025 Form 10-K states: “Each Class B common share possesses voting rights equal to one-ten-thousandth (1/10,000) of the voting rights of a Class A share.” The same filing says: “Each share of Class A common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into 1,500 shares of Class B common stock. Class B common stock is not convertible into Class A common stock.” Berkshire Hathaway 2025 Form 10-K.
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On dividend and distribution rights, 1,500 B shares equal one A share. That is an economic-rights equivalence, not a claim that 1,500 B shares can be exchanged for an A share. Conversion works only in the other direction: the holder of an A share may convert it into 1,500 B shares.
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Do Berkshire B shares have voting rights?
Yes. Each B share has 1/10,000 of the voting rights of an A share. So 1,500 B shares carry 0.15 of an A share’s vote in total, while one A share carries one vote. This means the A share has more voting power than 1,500 B shares, despite their equivalent dividend and distribution rights. Berkshire says the classes vote as a single class unless Delaware law requires otherwise; the company’s 2025 proxy also describes the voting mechanics. Berkshire Hathaway 2025 proxy statement.
What did BRK.A and BRK.B cost?
At the October 2, 2026 regular-session close, BRK.A was $754,790 and BRK.B was $502.65. Dividing the A closing price by 1,500 gives about $503.19, so the B close was close to, but not exactly, that mechanical ratio on that date. These are historical closing prices, not live quotes or a promise of the price a broker will execute. Prices move; check a current quote before placing an order.
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Should I buy BRK.A or BRK.B?
The share class determines per-share rights, not a different underlying Berkshire Hathaway issuer exposure. A practical choice depends on how much you plan to invest, whether voting power matters to you, and whether you want the one-way conversion option.
- Consider BRK.B if its much lower per-share price makes it easier to buy the amount you want. It has a smaller vote per share and cannot be converted into A.
- Consider BRK.A if you specifically value its one vote per share and the option to convert it into 1,500 B shares. Its much higher per-share price may make it impractical for smaller purchases.
Broker access, fractional-share availability, fees and order features vary by provider and jurisdiction. Check those terms with your brokerage before deciding how to buy; the share-class comparison alone cannot determine whether Berkshire stock is suitable for your circumstances.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Berkshire’s historical returns do—and do not—show
Berkshire’s 2025 annual report reported a 19.7% compound annual gain for Berkshire shares over 1965–2025, compared with 10.5% for the S&P 500 over the same comparison period. These are historical results reported by Berkshire, not forecasts or guarantees of future performance. Berkshire Hathaway 2025 annual report.
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